Intelligent battery cell

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices, computer-implemented methods, and/or computer program products that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell are addressed. In one example, a device can comprise: active battery cell material; and an internal circuit coupled to the active battery cell material and comprising: a circuit board; two alternating current (AC) power points; two isolated direct current (DC) power points; and a controller that can operate one or more switches on an H-bridge circuit to disconnect the device from a main battery in a bypass mode. In another example, a smart cell modulator can comprise: a set of smart battery cells; and a controller that can operate to selectively engage a subset of the smart battery cells to enable load sharing, distributed feedback control, circulate load across one or more smart battery cells of the set of smart battery cells to increase torque, and to enable speed requests.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/246,483 filed on Sep. 21, 2021, entitled“INTELLIGENT BATTERY CELL.” The entirety of the aforementionedapplication is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a battery cell, and more specifically,to a battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches.

BACKGROUND

Currently, an electric driveline (e.g., an electric driveline used in anelectric vehicle) is based on a battery with a direct current (DC)voltage of approximately 370 volts (V). Many systems are designed aroundthis battery to protect and control the battery. Auxiliary units areused to generate alternating current (AC) voltage to run motors andcharge the battery. Such systems are often complex and expensive and canbe a source of errors.

At present, there are a number of different types of battery packscomprising multiple batteries and/or cells. Some example problems withsuch battery packs include: a) they are always on, that is, they alwayshave a live voltage (e.g., approximately 400V); and/or b) they provide aconstant voltage and therefore they use the auxiliary units describedabove to provide fluctuating voltage (e.g., AC voltage) and/or lowervoltage (e.g., 12V, 48V, etc.). In addition, there are a variety ofexisting battery management systems (BMS) that can be used in manydifferent systems. Some example problems with existing BMS include: a)they involve a set of sensor cables and/or submodules that addcomplexity and/or cost; b) they only monitor cell parameters (e.g.,temperature, pressure, etc.); c) they are not integrated inside thecell; and/or d) they do not provide integrated switch functionality.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of oneor more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended toidentify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of theparticular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose isto present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodimentsdescribed herein, systems, computer-implemented methods, and/or computerprogram products that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell areaddressed.

An embodiment can include a smart cell modulator comprising a set ofsmart battery cells; and a controller that operates to selectivelyengage one or more secondary nodes to execute a speed request forgenerating a desired speed.

Another embodiment can include a computer-implemented method. Thecomputer-implemented method can comprise engaging, by a systemoperatively coupled to a processor, one or more secondary nodes toexecute a speed request for generating a desired speed.

Another embodiment can include a computer program product. The computerprogram product can comprise a computer readable storage medium havingprogram instructions embodied therewith, which can facilitate anintelligent battery cell. The program instructions can be executable bythe processor, causing the processor to engage, by the processor, one ormore secondary nodes to execute a speed request for generating a desiredspeed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more exemplary embodiments are described below in the DetailedDescription section with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting systemthat facilitates an intelligent battery cell in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1B illustrates a smart battery cell in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 1C illustrates smart battery cells in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 1D further illustrates smart battery cells in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit utilizing H-bridge(s) in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates a SmartCell system in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates a sine shaped wave form created by five smart cellnodes connected in series in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 4A illustrates an H-bridge circuit in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates an H-bridge circuit on a cell in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4C illustrates an output generated by operating switches on anH-bridge circuit in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 4D illustrates outputs generated by operating switches on anH-bridge circuit in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example configuration for connecting cells to runan electrical motor in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cluster of smart battery cells in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6B illustrates another cluster of smart battery cells in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6C illustrates a cell packing configuration in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7A illustrates a module for a vehicle core in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7B further illustrates a module for a vehicle core in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a timeline of secondary responses between everyprimary transmission in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9A illustrates an update event sequence in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9B illustrates an update event sequence continued from FIG. 9A inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an oscilloscope representation of a 3-phase sinewave in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates an update event graph in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an update event graph with an offset correction fora sine wave in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates sine wave angle calculation for a sine wave produceby a SmartCell modulator in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates another update event graph in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates another update event graph in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an update event timeline in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates a graph demonstrating Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)to generate a sine wave in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates a graph demonstrating load sharing in a smart cellsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates a step approach to achieving a sine wave current formotor control in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 20 illustrates a sine wave angle calculation for a step approach inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates a timeline for sorting of cells during sine wavecreation in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternate timeline for sorting of cells duringsine wave creation in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of 3-phase motor control in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 24 illustrates a flow diagram of a Clarke Park transform controlprocess in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of distributed feedback control inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 26 illustrates a flow diagram demonstrating internal currentcontrol via secondary nodes in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram for distributed torque control inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow diagram for speed request in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 29 illustrates a method in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein.

FIG. 31 illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limitingoperating environment in which one or more embodiments described hereincan be facilitated.

FIG. 32 illustrates a block diagram of another example, non-limitingoperating environment in which one or more embodiments described hereincan be facilitated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is notintended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied information presented in the preceding Background or Summarysections, or in the Detailed Description section.

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It isevident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments canbe practiced without these specific details. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “coupled” to another element, itcan describe one or more different types of coupling including, but notlimited to, chemical coupling, communicative coupling, electricalcoupling, electromagnetic coupling, operative coupling, opticalcoupling, physical coupling, thermal coupling, and/or another type ofcoupling.

Further, it is to be appreciated that the terms “cell(s)”, “smartcell(s)”, “battery cell(s)” and “smart battery cell(s)” have been usedinterchangeably throughout the scope of this specification. The terms“H-bridge(s)” and “H-bridge circuit(s)” have also been usedinterchangeably throughout the scope of the specification. Likewise, theterms “cell cluster(s)”, “smart cell cluster(s)”, and “smart cellnode(s)” have been used interchangeably throughout the scope of thisspecification.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an example, non-limiting systemthat facilitates an intelligent battery cell in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1A illustrates, a system 100 that can comprise device 102, circuitboard 110, controller 104, H-bridge 112, AC power points 114, isolatedDC power points 116, and main battery 118. System 100 can be a SmartCellsystem or SmartCell modulator, and device 102 can be a smart cellcluster comprising one or more smart battery cells clustered viaH-bridge 112. Circuit board 110 can provide intelligence to device 102such that it can connect or disconnect from main battery 118 to enablemultiple operational modes. These and other functionalities of device102 can enable device 102 to run an electric motor of an electricvehicle by intelligently engaging one or more smart battery cells toproduce a desired current to drive the electric motor. Additionalfunctionalities will be discussed in subsequent figures and throughoutthe scope of this specification.

FIG. 1B illustrates smart cell 101 in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate smart batterycells (e.g., smart cells 101) in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. For example, FIG. 1C illustrates a cluster of foursmart cells (e.g., smart cells 101) composed of two smart cell nodes ina two-cell version, and FIG. 1D illustrates two smart cells (e.g., smartcells 101), DC-DC converter 108, and circuit board 110.

Smart cell 101 can be a power source, and as cells become larger, thenumber of cells required for a task can reduce and intelligence can beadded to each cell by addition of a dedicated circuit board (e.g.,circuit board 110). Circuit board 110 can be welded onto cell poles andsmart cell 101 can start powering circuit board 110 through its ownpower. Circuit board 110 can, for example, contain four output points ofwhich, two output points can be AC power points and the other two pointscan be isolated DC points. It is to be appreciated that any suitablenumber of ports can be employed in accordance with embodiments describedand claimed herein. Cell connections to the outside world can beaccomplished through the ports. Individual smart cells 101 can beclustered via an H-bridge, and busbar connections can be made betweenrespective AC points of the individual smart cell clusters. Since a cellcan internally control if and how it should be connected to theAC-terminals, the cell can disconnect itself from main battery 118without affecting complete battery pack performance significantly. Thismode can be referred to as a bypass mode which can be a default mode fora smart cell system.

A SmartCell board (e.g., circuit board 110) can be designed to be oneper cell or even one per two (or more) cells. Having one SmartCell boardper two cells can be more complicated but advantageous. An H-bridge (notpictured) can be provided at 106 to create AC capabilities from thebattery cells. DC-DC converter 108 can further provide DC voltage to thesystem 100.

In an embodiment, a SmartCell modulator or SmartCell system (e.g.,system 100) can consist of multiple smart cell nodes (or smart cellclusters) with AC power points connected such that the SmartCell systemcan create a desired voltage output. For example, each smart cell nodecan comprise four smart cells, each supplying 3.7V, wherein the foursmart cells are clustered to generate a voltage output of approximately16V. Clustering cells can be beneficial for cost and performancereasons. Clustering cells can also allow bigger steps in voltage to beobtained on a sine wave. For example, an H-bridge can cluster aplurality of smart cells (e.g., smart cell(s) 101) to form a smart cellcluster. A plurality of the smart cell clusters can be connected inseries via busbars, and the plurality of smart cell clusters connectedin series can form a string of clusters that can produce a sine wavecurrent. This concept will be further illustrated through subsequentfigures.

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit 200 utilizing H-bridge(s) in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein. Circuit 200 can furthercomprise circuits that can represent three smart cell clusters equippedwith H-bridges and connected in series. The individual smart cellclusters represented in circuit 200 can be comprise smart cell cluster204, smart cell cluster 206, and smart cell cluster 208. FIG. 2 furtherillustrates busbar(s) 202, contactors(s) 210, and DC-DC converter 212.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, smart cell cluster 204, smart cell cluster 206, andsmart cell cluster 208 can each comprise one or more smart battery cells(e.g., smart cell(s) 101) that can be clustered via respective H-bridgecircuits. For exemplary purposes, the smart cell clusters represented inFIG. 2 can comprise singular cells that can output 3.7V. Smart cellcluster 204, smart cell cluster 206, and smart cell cluster 208 can beconnected via busbars 202 at the AC power points of the respective smartcell clusters. Contactors on each H-bridge circuit can be connected anddisconnected in specific combinations. For example, contactors 210 canbe closed such that smart cell cluster 204 can output a negative voltageof 3.7V (−3.7V). Similarly, a different combination of contactors onsmart cell cluster 206 can be closed to enable a bypass mode whereinsmart cell cluster 206 can disconnect from a main battery withoutaffecting performance of the main battery. Operating yet anothercombination of contactors on the H-bridge on smart cell cluster 208 canenable the smart cell cluster to output a positive voltage of 3.7V. Thecontactors described herein can be metal-oxide-semiconductorfield-effect transistors (MOSFETs) or other types of contactors. Thus,smart cell clusters can operate in three primary modes, namely, a bypassmode, a positive voltage output mode, and a negative voltage outputmode. This concept will be illustrated in greater detail in subsequentfigures.

FIG. 3A illustrates a SmartCell system 300 in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. FIG. 3B illustrates a sine shapedwave form 302 created by five smart cell nodes connected in series inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, SmartCell system 300 can comprise a primary node 306that can dictate a behavior of SmartCell system 300, and the behavior ofseveral secondary nodes that can be mounted directly on each smart cellcluster of SmartCell system 300. As described in one or more embodimentsherein, one or more smart battery cells can be clustered to form a smartcell node (e.g., smart cell cluster 310). If smart cell nodes can beconnected in series to form string 308 of smart cell nodes, a sineshaped wave form (e.g., sine shaped wave form 302) can be generated,wherein the sine shaped wave form can be a representation of electricalcurrent, generated by string 308 of smart cell clusters, on anoscilloscope, and wherein the sine shaped wave form can drive electricmotor 304. For example, sine shaped wave form 302 illustrated in FIG. 3Bcan be created by five smart cell nodes connected in series, whereineach smart cell node can generate one voltage step in the sine wave, asillustrated by the stepped sine wave form in FIG. 3B. Three strings(e.g., strings 308) of smart cell clusters (e.g., smart cell cluster204, smart cell cluster 206, and smart cell cluster 208) in seriesconnections can be connected to generate a 3-phase sine wave voltageoutput that can run an electric machine (e.g., electric motor 304). Thevoltage output can be controlled to achieve desired phase currents(torque) for controlling the electric machine.

If sufficient cell clusters can be connected in series to reach adesired voltage, SmartCell system 300 can be connected to, for example,a 50 Hertz (Hz) network to charge batteries or to supply the networkwith energy from cells. The circuit can allow for DC output (e.g.,powering electronics and driving the vehicle motor) as well as AC output(e.g., 4-wheel drive). Since circuit boards mounted on individual smartbattery cells (e.g., smart cell 101) or individual smart cell clusterscan provide intelligence to the respective cells, secondary nodes oneach cell cluster can utilize information broadcasted by primary node306 to calculate a modulator angle and connect and disconnect themselvesfrom the main battery based on the calculation. Each secondary node canbe aware of its position in the SmartCell system 300, and all secondarynodes can receive the broadcasted information at the same time.

In another embodiment, the SmartCell system 300 (or SmartCell modulator)can be in a sleep state, wherein a timeout can occur, and secondarynodes can go to sleep for 5 seconds when the modulator state can bezero. Every 5 seconds the secondary nodes can wake up for a short time(around 300 ms) to check for communication on the network. Primary node306 can be awake at all times. There can be a central node in anelectric vehicle that SmartCell system 300 can be associated with, andthe central node can wake up the necessary nodes. For example, thecentral node can wake up primary node 306 and one or more secondarynodes to change an operational state of the electric vehicle. SmartCellsystem 300 can also be in a bridge enable state that can be utilized toonly enable the H-bridge when SmartCell system 300 is synchronized.During an emergency shut down of SmartCell system 300, the H-bridge canremain disabled. In an embodiment, primary node 306 can request aspecific operation mode from the smart cell clusters and the smart cellclusters can assess system parameters such as current, temperature, etc.to decide if the H-bridge can be enabled.

SmartCell system 300 can also be capable of angle based PWM and DCcontrol. For example, at low speeds and stand still, motor control canbe viewed as DC currents in three phases (three strings of smart cellclusters connected in series, for example, strings 308) achieved byrunning PWM. Before executing a closed loop current control, a number ofcell voltages can be output, and one of the cells can output a PWM dutycycle that can, together with other cells, produce a voltage thatcorresponds to a modulator angle at that instant. That is, PWM can beused to generate a desired voltage on each phase. In order to keep thedesired current, secondary nodes can run DC current control at lowspeeds. The modulator can freeze and continue in a desired direction.

Further, SmartCell system 300 can be capable of over-current protection.All secondary nodes can sample cell current, H-bridge current, andtemperature at a high rate. At every sampling occasion, the secondarynodes can compare current with an allowed max current for that instant.If the allowed current is exceeded, the individual smart cell clusterscan go into bypass and set the over-current flag. The smart cellclusters can make such safety decisions without relying on radiocommunications. Each cell cluster can have its own configuration andsensor definition depending on individual differences in hardware, andthe same software can be run in all modes. Since the cell clusters canhave their own configurations, they can make independent decisions basedon their location in SmartCell system 300.

Feedback from the secondary nodes can be used to present informationfrom SmartCell system 300 via primary node 306. Upon implementation offield operated control (FOC), feedback from the secondary nodes candistribute measured current from all three phases about every 1 ms, ifrequired from a control perspective. For example, information gatheredfrom the secondary nodes presented by primary node 306 using serialcommunication can be represented as cell voltage values, iStringpeakvalues, modulator offset time values, modulator update offset timevalues, modulator state values, and/or other relevant values.

SmartCell system 300 can also be capable of cell voltage verification.Primary node 306 can measure total voltage on each string 308. A cellvoltage measurement can be verified by activating one node at a time andcomparing voltage values from secondary nodes with the total valuemeasured by the primary node. This can be performed during start up.During DC operation, the cell voltages measured can be summed up by thesecondary nodes and compared with the primary node's measured value.During AC operation, this implementation can be harder since a stablecondition can be required for roughly 100 milliseconds to collect datafrom the secondary nodes. Cell voltage verification can assist inidentifying that the cell voltage is measured correctly due to cellvoltage measurement requirements for the system. Since primary node 306can measure the phase voltage, all smart cell clusters, except one, canbe put in bypass mode, as discussed herein. Then, the voltage of thecell not in bypass mode can be measured and read by primary node 306,and the values from the primary node voltage measurements and thecluster voltage measurements can be compared to determine if the voltagefalls within the desired threshold.

The SmartCell system 300 can comprise additional capabilities of cellcurrent sensor adaption. The secondary nodes can be equipped with acost-effective current measurement solution with limited accuracy.Primary node 306 can be equipped with high accuracy current sensors. Atevery update primary node 306 can transmit phase current with a timestamp. The secondary nodes can, when they can have the opportunity,compare and adapt their current sensor.

Such an exemplary system with two cells in each cell cluster on eachstring can generate a sine wave wherein the size of a singular step ofthe sine wave can be equal to twice the cell voltage (as a result of twosmart cells clustered in one cell cluster), and the resolution candepend on the modulator amplitude. The number of voltage steps in eachsine wave can be equal to the number of cell clusters on the stringproducing the respective sine wave. In situations requiring betterresolution for current control, one secondary node can run in PWM mode.When more speed or current is required, more cell clusters can be added,wherein the added clusters can generate a smoother sine wave.

FIG. 4A illustrates an H-bridge circuit 400 in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. The H-bridge circuit 400 can comprisecontactors Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 at 402, 404, 406, and 408, respectively.FIG. 4B illustrates H-bridge circuit 400 electrically coupled to acircuit board (e.g., circuit board 110) on a cell. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, contactors (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) can be operated togenerate outputs at point AC A at 410, and at point AC B at 412, whereinAC A and AC B can connect H-bridge circuit 400 to the rest of thecircuit of a smart cell cluster. Upon closing contactors Q1 and Q3 (at402 and 406, respectively), a bypass mode can be activated for therespective smart cell cluster such that the smart cell cluster candisconnect from the main battery without affecting current flow from themain battery. Upon closing contactors Q1 and Q4 (at 402 and 408,respectively), AC A can be connected to the positive terminal(illustrated as Cell+ in FIG. 4A) at 414 of the smart cell cluster andAC B can be connected to the negative terminal 416 of the smart cellcluster to product a positive voltage output, wherein the positivevoltage output can create one step in a sine wave.

Similarly, upon closing contactors Q2 and Q3 (at 404 and 406,respectively), AC A can be connected to the negative terminal(illustrated as Cell − in FIG. 4A) at 416 of the smart cell cluster andAC B can be connected to the positive terminal 414 of the smart cellcluster to product a negative voltage output, wherein the negativevoltage output can create another step in a sine wave. Thus, H-bridgecircuit 400 can be put in three different states to create a desiredvoltage output that has a desired sine wave form to operate an electricmotor. Contactors Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 can be operated by controllersignals received by the H-bridge circuit through input point 415(Control A) and input point 417 (Control B).

FIG. 4C illustrates an output generated by operating switches on anH-bridge circuit in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity. FIG.4C illustrates H-bridge output 420 generated by H-bridge circuit 400.Output 422 of FIG. 4C can represent a portion of the sine wave form thatcan be generated upon closing contactors Q1 and Q4, output 424 canrepresent a portion of the sine wave form of H-bridge output 420 thatcan be generated upon closing contactors Q1 and Q3 when the cell clustercan be in bypass mode, and output 426 can represent a portion of thesine wave form that can be generated upon closing contactors Q2 and Q3.Thus, a sine wave form can be generated by operating the variouscombinations of contactors on H-bridge circuit 400. In FIG. 4C, theplots for “state” and “dir” as indicated in FIG. 4C can representcontrol flags in a software.

FIG. 4D illustrates outputs generated by operating switches on anH-bridge circuit in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity. FIG.4D illustrates signal 428 and signal 434 generated by a controller andreceived by H-bridge circuit 400 at input points 415 and 417,respectively, of FIG. 4A. Signal 428 can control contactors Q1 and Q2(at 402 and 404, respectively, of FIG. 4A) and signal 434 can controlcontactors Q3 and Q4 (at 406 and 408, respectively, of FIG. 4A) toproduce the sine wave output.

A controller for the smart cell cluster can generate the two signals,428 and 434. Signal 428 can ensure that contactors Q1 and Q2 are notclosed at the same time since that can cause H-bridge circuit 400 toshort circuit, and similarly, signal 434 can ensure that contactors Q3and Q4 are not closed at the same time to prevent short circuitingH-bridge circuit 400. A resultant output of the two control signalscombined can produce H-bridge output 420 of FIG. 4C. For example, output430 of the controller signal can cause contactor Q1 to close andcontactor Q2 to open, which in conjunction with output 432 of signal 434can produce output 422 (positive voltage output) and output 424 (bypassmode) of FIG. 4C. For example, output 436 of the controller signal cancause contactor Q3 to close and contactor Q4 to open, which inconjunction with output 438 of the signal 428 can produce output 426(negative voltage output) and a subsequent bypass mode of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example configuration for connecting cells to runan electrical motor in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary configuration 500 forconnecting cells to run an electrical motor. FIG. 5B illustrates aschematic representation of an exemplary system 520 of an embodiment inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. FIGS. 5A and5B illustrate electrical connections between various components in anelectric vehicle. Motor Control Unit A (MCU A) at 502, MCU B at 504,SmartCell boards (SC boards) and battery cells at 508, electric frontaxle drive (EFAD) at 510 (also illustrated in FIG. 5B), and electricrear axle drive (ERAD) at 512 (also illustrated in FIG. 5B). FIG. 5Aillustrates 11 DCDC outputs at 514 and 11 DCDC outputs at 516 inaccordance with one or more embodiments herein. Repetitive descriptionof like elements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments isomitted for sake of brevity.

As discussed in one or more embodiments, smart battery cells can beclustered and individual cell clusters can be connected in series toproduce a desired voltage. Three strings of cell clusters can beconnected to generate a 3-phase sine wave current that can operate anelectric motor. In an embodiment, each of the three strings can be splitinto two sub-strings, as illustrated by SC boards and battery cells at508 such that one sub-string can be employed to run the front wheelmotor at 510 and another sub-string can be employed to run the rearwheel motor at 512. In this manner, redundancy can be implemented in thesystem. MCU A can run the car regardless of the status of MCU B, andvice versa. MCU A can control one part of the DCDC outputs (likestandard GPA), and MCU A can control the modulator for the rear wheels.MCU B can control the other part of DCDC outputs, and MCU B can controlthe modulator for the front wheel.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cluster of smart battery cells in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. FIG. 6B illustrates anothercluster of smart battery cells in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. FIG. 6C illustrates cell packingconfiguration 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Mechanical integration can be a large part of clustering battery cells(e.g., two cells, four cells, etc.). It can allow for space for a gasevacuation channel to remain as designed and replace an existing busbar.Next generation cells can have a small cell-to-cell distance ofapproximately 30 millimeters (mm) which can put a limit to a size of thepower module. Height can be restricted but the design can allow forcooling through the bottom plate to the ambient air. FIG. 6Aillustrates, at 602, a cluster of four smart battery cells connected viasmart cell busbars, and FIG. 6B illustrates, at 604, a cluster of foursmart battery cells connected via traditional busbars.

FIG. 7A illustrates a module for a vehicle core in accordance with oneor more embodiments described herein. FIG. 7B further illustrates amodule for a vehicle core in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate battery module 702.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 8 illustrates a timeline of secondary responses between everyprimary transmission in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Repetitive description of like elements and/orprocesses employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake ofbrevity.

The system built by a primary node and secondary nodes can be referredto as a SmartCell modulator. The primary node (e.g., primary node 306)can generate a virtual sine wave. This can be done by broadcastingpropulsion request information with a predetermined pace, for example,about every millisecond (1 ms) by the primary node. For example, theprimary node can broadcast data at about 1 kilohertz (kHz). Broadcastingcan be done over radio or other galvanic isolated communication method.Since broadcasted transmission delay can be well defined and an absolutetime can be transmitted in the broadcasted message, the complete systemcan have the same absolute time with an accuracy better than 1microsecond (1 μs). The secondary nodes can have time slots scheduled todistribute information to the system. The secondary nodes can broadcasta message in the same manner as the primary node and the system of cellclusters can receive one response from one cell cluster about every 1ms.

Thus, all nodes (e.g., primary nodes and secondary nodes) in the systemcan acquire all the information flowing in the network and all nodes canhave up to date information about the 3-phase sine wave current. Thescheduled secondary node responses can be made so that one secondarynode (one from each string) can have time to respond between everyprimary node transmission. For example, primary nodetransmission/broadcast 802 and primary node transmission/broadcast 804can be about 1 ms apart during which time, a secondary node of a smartbattery cell cluster can generate a first response 806. Thus, forexample, current from each string with the same time stamp can beavailable on the network and it can be possible to analyze the ACcurrent about every 1 ms based on the internal current sensors in thesecondary nodes. Thus, for example, for a SmartCell system comprising atotal of hundred smart cell clusters on each string, it can take about100 ms for the current to loop through the whole system, in which time,the SmartCell system can be aware of all important information such ascell voltages, cell temperatures, etc.

FIG. 9A illustrates an update event sequence in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. FIG. 9B illustrates an update eventsequence continued from FIG. 9A in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. Repetitive description of like elementsand/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sakeof brevity. An update event (e.g., update event at 902) can be definedas the base event for all time synchronized changes in a SmartCellmodulator (e.g., SmartCell system 300). A primary transmission (e.g.,primary transmission 802) from the primary node (e.g., primary node 306)can always occur immediately following update event 902, after which asecondary transmission (e.g., first response 806) can occur, followed bysubsequent primary and secondary transmissions. For example, asillustrated at 902, all nodes (primary node and secondary nodes) canmeasure current at the same time during an update event. For example, asillustrated at 922, a primary update event (update event specific to theprimary node) can occur during which the SmartCell system can measure aresolver angle and receive a current modulator angle. For example, asillustrated at 924, a secondary update event (update event specific tothe secondary nodes) can occur during which current can be measured, atimer can be set up for new interrupt events, and a cycle time can beupdated.

Further, at 924, an update watchdog event can be executed in accordancewith the code description at 924, wherein the secondary nodes can expectmessages from the primary node after every update, when the SmartCellmodulator can be running. If the secondary nodes don't receive messagesfor a certain number of updates (e.g., 5 updates, 10 updates, etc.) theycan go into an emergency shutdown (bypass state), after which thesecondary nodes can require a new initiation process to start again. InFIG. 9A, the primary transmission sequence can be illustrated at acts904-910, and the secondary transmission sequence can be illustrated atacts 912-920.

At act 904, a primary update event can be executed wherein anApplication Core (AppCore) can receive a broadcasting request comprisinga phase voltage request, a phase angle request, cycle time, resolverangle information and/or other parameters. AppCore can prepare a messagecomprising the phase voltage request, phase angle request, cycle time,resolver angle information and/or other parameters, save the message incore transfer memory, and notify a Communication Core (CommCore) thatthe message can be sent. Act 904 can be followed by act 906 where aprimary CommCore data transfer can collect the message from coretransfer memory and transmit the message. At 908, all secondary nodescan receive CommCore Data transmitted at 906 as the message, save themessage to core transfer memory, and notify AppCore that the message hasbeen received. At 910, all secondary nodes can receive AppCore Data.Herein the message transmitted at 908 can be present, desired cycle timecan be updated, and motor control routines can be run based on areceived request, and phase can be determined based on resolver angleand modulator angle.

At 912, the secondary node that can generate a secondary response inresponse to the primary transmission, can prepare a message and AppCorecan transmit the message, save the message in core transfer memory, andnotify CommCore that the message should be sent. Subsequently, at 914,the secondary node can execute a CommCore transmit wherein the secondarynode can receive the message transmitted at 912, from the core transfermemory, and transmit the message to other secondary nodes. Subsequentlyat 916, all secondary nodes, except the secondary node that transmitsthe message at 912, can receive the message, save the message to coretransfer memory, and notify AppCore that the message has arrived.Subsequently, at 920, all secondary nodes, except the secondary nodethat transmits the message at 912, can receive the AppCore data. Herein,the message transmitted at 916 can be present and an update eventdependent code can be run. All changes in the system can be updated atupdate event 926.

FIG. 10 illustrates an oscilloscope representation 1000 of a 3-phasesine wave in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

As discussed in one or more embodiments herein sine wave outputs 1002,1004, and 1006 of FIG. 10 can illustrate phase voltages generated bythree individual strings of smart cell clusters connected in series,wherein each string can generate an individual sine wave. Voltageoutputs generated by secondary nodes on all three-strings of a SmartCellsystem can be visualized as illustrated by sine wave outputs 1002, 1004,and 1006. Plot 1008 illustrates a phase current in one of thethree-phases of the SmartCell system, wherein SmartCell system can beused to operate an electric motor. The oscilloscope representation 1000illustrates how a desired phase current can be generated by controllingindividual smart cell clusters on individual phases (strings) of aSmartCell system.

FIG. 11 illustrates update event graph 1100 in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. FIG. 11 illustrates sine wave output1102 generated by a smart cell system comprising two smart cellclusters, wherein each smart cell cluster produces a step on the sinewave. FIG. 11 further illustrates virtual sine wave voltage 1104 thatthe smart cell system can generate. Points 1106 and 1108 can indicatezero voltage points or a virtual zero crossing, where the virtual sinewave voltage is 0V (zero volts). Repetitive description of like elementsand/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sakeof brevity.

As discussed in one or more embodiments herein, the primary node (e.g.,primary node 306) in a SmartCell modulator (e.g., SmartCell system 300)can generate a virtual voltage sine wave to control the secondary nodesand produce a 3-phase sine wave current that can control an electricmotor. The primary node can also generate update events, wherein anupdate event can be an absolute time base for the SmartCell system. Allcells in the SmartCell modulator can have the same absolute time andthey can know when the primary node sends its message after an update.Time values can be related to absolute update times in all cells.

For example, the primary node can receive a torque request from thevehicle. Using the update event as a base, in order to be able tocontrol the magnetic field of an electrical machine, the primary nodecan calculate and broadcast the requested cycle time, phase information,and other parameters. These values can be used during the next update inthe complete system. There can be plenty of time to broadcast data tosecondary nodes, wherein an interval between update events can be about1 ms. The update interval must be short enough to allow sufficientmachine control. To successfully achieve broadcasted machine control, itcan be beneficial to request phase current and phase angle together withphase information. Phase current can be measured and controlled by eachsecondary node much faster than the broadcasted update interval.

Table 1 lists parameters and their message sizes included in a primarygeneral broadcast message. It is to be appreciated that the parametersthat can be broadcasted during an update event can vary based on thesituation and system requirements. Thus, the parameters and valueslisted in table 1 can represent an exemplary scenario and the values canvary based on the situation and control strategy adopted. During anupdate event, certain types of data can be broadcasted consistently, forexample, the same type of data (e.g., propulsion data) can bebroadcasted as a request to the secondary nodes of the smart cellclusters. Along with such data, extra data can be sent to the secondarynodes wherein the extra data can comprise a request for specificinformation from the secondary nodes, or the extra data can comprise arequest to the secondary nodes to perform in a specific manner. Thedifferent types of data can be broadcasted as messages, in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein. In this manner, aprotocol can be developed based on the different message request types.

TABLE 1 Primary general broadcast message (sent every ms). size info[bits] message size [bytes] 8 message type 8 timeStamp 32 4294, 967 smodeReq 8 Request control bits 16 Phase current request 12 Phase anglerequest 12 cycleTime request 16 65536 Max speed change rate 12 Modulatorangle/time to next volt 32 4294, 967 zero crossing Resolver angle 12 4096 Phase 1 current 16 Phase 2 current 16 Phase 3 current 16Transformer 14 V predicted power 10 Transformer 48 V predicted power 10Transformer 400 V predicted power 10 checksum 12 encryption 12 Totalmessage size 270 33.75 bytes 0.27 kbit Communication speed 2000 kbit/sMessage time 135 μs

Table 2 lists parameters and their message sizes included in a secondarygeneral broadcast message. The parameters listed in table 2 areexemplary and can vary based on the system requirements. It is to beappreciated that although a SmartCell system (e.g., SmartCell system300) can require information from one or more secondary nodes (e.g., inthe form of a secondary general broadcast message as illustrated in FIG.2 ), the SmartCell system does not need the information as feedback toexecute a control loop. That is because, as indicated in FIG. 25, in oneor more embodiments, responsibility for feedback control can bedistributed to the one or more secondary nodes such that the secondarynodes can execute a control loop.

TABLE 2 Primary general broadcast message (sent about every ms). size[bits] size message size [bytes] 8 message type 8 timeStamp 32 4294, 967s Device adress 10 1024 DeviceInPhase 3 modeStS 8 Control bits Status 16Phase current 16 Phase angle 12 Cell voltage × 4 48 SOC × 4 48 Cell temp× 4 48 SOH × 4 48 Transformer power 10 Transformer voltage 10 FaultCodes16 checksum 12 encryption 12 Total message size 365 45,625 0.365 kbitCommunication speed 2000 kbit/s Message time 182.5 μs

Table 3 lists request control bits and Mode status (ModeSts) definitionsin accordance with one or more embodiments herein. For example, arequest for starting the modulator can require 6 bits of storage. Forexample, a mode status of 11 can indicate a request for speed controlwithin the SmartCell system. The parameters listed in table 3 areexemplary and can vary based on the system requirements. Tables 1, 2 and3 illustrate exemplary values for parameters that can be included in amessage specification (e.g., a message broadcasted by a primary node).

TABLE 3 bit Request control bits ModeSts definition 0 Rate Override 0 -Sleep 1 Even Distribution 1 - Standby 2 Modulator Freeze 10 - Speedcontrol 3 Secondary Feedback Enable 11 - Torque Control 4 AutoCorrection 20 - DC charging series mode 5 Modulator Reverse Direction21 - DC charging parallel mode 6 Start Modulator 22 - AC charging onephase 7 Stop Modulator 23 - AC charging three phase

FIG. 12 illustrates update event graph 1200 with an offset correctionfor a sine wave in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. FIG. 12 illustrates a very low-resolution sine wave output 1212generated by a system comprising two smart cell nodes (or smart cellclusters), wherein each smart cell node produces a step on the sinewave. FIG. 12 further illustrates a virtual sine wave voltage 1202 thatthe system can generate. With a large number of smart cell nodes, thegenerated voltage can be very close to a true sine shape. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, at every update event the primary node can transmitthe current modulator angle. For example, at update event 1204, theprimary node can transmit modulator angle 1208. For example, at 1206,the primary node can transmit modulator angle 1210. The secondary nodescan receive the current modulator angle, compare it with their ownmodulator angle, and calculate a correction. If the time synchronizationbetween the nodes (primary node and secondary nodes) can be consistent,the method described herein can keep the SmartCell modulatorsynchronized. An offset can be applied once to the SmartCell modulatortiming at the next on-switch event. This way the SmartCell modulator canbe remain synchronized as long as absolute timing of the primary andsecondary nodes can remain synchronized.

Herein, the modulator angle can be defined as an angular position of avirtual voltage from a first string of a SmartCell system, wherein thefirst string can comprise smart cell clusters coupled in series. Themodulator angle can be used to calculate phase between a modulatorvoltage and current and calculate a phase between the modulator voltageand mechanical position. In another embodiment, the modulator angle canbe transmitted as before during an update event, the secondary nodes cancollect data based on dead reckoning in between the update events, andthe secondary nodes can resynchronize during every new broadcast.Further, an offset correction can be performed for the sine wave form.For example, at 1216 an offset exhibited by a positive voltage outputstep from a smart cell cluster can be corrected during the negativevoltage output cycle.

FIG. 13 illustrates sine wave angle calculation for a sine wave producedby a SmartCell modulator in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. FIG. 13 illustrates a sine wave 1300 produced by aSmartCell modulator. FIG. 13 illustrates a very low-resolution sine waveoutput 1302 generated by a system comprising two smart cell clusters,wherein each cluster produces a step on the sine wave. FIG. 13 furtherillustrates a virtual sine wave voltage 1304 that the system cangenerate. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, the requested phase current can be the base for thephase voltage, based on which the SmartCell system can decide the numberof smart cell clusters to be connected or engaged. The symmetrical sinewave output 1302 (pyramid shape) can make it easy to calculate offswitch angle. However, a voltage can be generated that can create a sineshaped phase current. The sine wave angle can be calculated perequations 1308 and 1306.

Equation 1308: cell 1 On switch angle=inv sine(0,5/2)=14,47 deg, for avoltage step produced by a first cell (or cell cluster).

Equation 1306: cell 2 On switch angle=inv sine(1,5/2)=48,59 deg, for avoltage step produced by a second cell (or cell cluster).

Since the sine wave angle can be broadcasted about every 1 ms, and sincethe smart cell clusters, based on dead reckoning, can continue tocalculate the sine wave angle based on rotation of the electric motor,the secondary nodes for respective smart cell clusters can calculate thephase required for each secondary node to be in, depending on a desiredoutput voltage. Thus, the secondary nodes can turn on their respectiveH-bridges at the correct angle.

FIG. 14 illustrates update event graph 1400 in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

Update event graph 1400 illustrates a method for calculating time tosubsequent events, for example, a time between an update event andpositive voltage switch-off, a time between a voltage zero crossing andnegative voltage switch-on time, and active time for a voltage step. Thesecondary nodes can calculate time to the next event after an event hasoccurred. This can be a method to generate a better accuracy than about1 ms between update events to create a more accurate sine wave shape.

At event switch-on event 1402 which can represent a positive voltageswitch-on event, it can be possible to calculate times from switch-onevent 1402 to the next switch-on event or from switch-on event 1402 toswitch-off event 1404, which can represent a positive voltage switch-offevent. It can also be possible to check if the next event is close by toforce switch-off directly or run an update event. The calculations canbe represented by the following equations:

Calculate next OnswTime=(expTimeOn)+(halfCycleTime)  Equation A:

Calculate next OffSwTime=(expTimeOn)+(off_offset),  Equation B:

wherein “OnswTime” can represent time to next switch-on event,“expTimeOn” can represent a position along the sine wave from where thenext switch-on event can be calculated by adding time for half arevolution of a rotor (e.g., equation A), at which point the respectivesecondary node can turn on in the opposite direction, and “off_offset”can represent active time, represented at 1408.

Similarly, at switch-off event 1404, it can be possible to calculatetime to the next switch-on event or to the next switch-off event, and itcan be possible to check if the next event is close by to forceswitch-on directly or run an update event. The calculations can berepresented by the following equations:

Equation C: Calculate next OnswTime=(expTimeOff)+[2×(on_offset)],wherein “on_offset” can represent time between voltage zero crossing andswitch-on time, represented at 1406, and “expTimeOff” can represent aposition along the sine wave from where the next switch-on event can becalculated by adding twice the time for voltage zero crossing and theswitch-on time for the respective secondary node (e.g., equation C).

Calculate next OffSwTime=(expTimeOff)+(halfCycleTime)  Equation D:

At update event 1410, it can be possible to calculate time to the nextswitch-on event or to the next switch-off event, and it can be possibleto check if the next event is close by to force switch-off directly orrun an update event. The calculations can be represented by thefollowing equations:

Calculate next OnswTime=(expUpdateTime)×(timeLeftToOnSw)  Equation E:

Calculate next OffSwTime=(expUpdateTime)×(timeLeftToOffSw)  Equation F:

FIG. 15 illustrates another update event graph in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

FIG. 15 illustrates an update event graph 1500. In an embodiment,calculating time to the next event can be performed in the event ofchanges to the speed (frequency) of the cycle times for a sine wave. Forexample, if the speed of the cycle times doubles, then all times to thenext event can be halved. For example, for a change in speed of a cycletime as indicated by the difference 1508 between the dotted line andsolid line of the voltage switch-off event of the sine wave, theequivalent time difference between the update event 1502 and the voltageswitch-off event can be the difference between times 1506 and 1504,wherein 1506 can be a time between update event 1502 and an old voltageswitch-off event (described as “oldTimeToOffSw”) and 1504 can be a timebetween update event 1502 and a new voltage switch-off time (describedas “newTimeToOffSw”). This can be further elaborated by the followingequations.

newOldRat=(newCycleTime)÷(oldCycleTime)  Equation G:

newTimeToOffSw=(timeToOffSw)×(newOldRat)  Equation H:

newTimeToOnSw=(timeToOnSw)×(newOldRat),  Equation I:

wherein “newOldRat” can be a ratio between an old frequency and a newfrequency, “newCycleTime” and “oldCycleTime” can be the new and oldfrequencies, respectively, and “timeToOffSw” and “timeToOnSw” can be theold times to switch-off and switch-on events, respectively, from theupdate event.

FIG. 16 illustrates an update event timeline in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

FIG. 16 illustrates start sequence 1600 for a SmartCell modulator. Thedotted lines in FIG. 16 can represent update events. At 1602, a primarynode can send messages about every 10 ms to wake up the secondary nodes.At 1604, all awake secondary nodes can initiate a morse synchronization.At 1606, the morse initiation can be completed, and a synchronizedupdate can run in all smart battery cells. At 1608, a start request forthe SmartCell modulator can be initiated. At 1610, the start request canbe sent for the next update event. At 1612, the modulator can start, andthe smart cell clusters of the SmartCell modulator can generate thedesired voltage as depicted at 1614 to generate the sine wave output at1616, that can run an electric motor.

FIG. 17 illustrates a graph demonstrating PWM to generate a sine wave inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 17 illustrates a sine wave voltage output graph 1700 comprising twovoltage steps generated by two smart cell clusters, as discussed in oneor more embodiments herein. FIG. 17 further illustrates switch-on andswitch-off events for the voltage outputs. In an embodiment, the voltagesteps generated by the smart cell clusters can be bigger than necessary,and one of the smart cell clusters can run PWM signal to achieve adesired sine wave shape. A PWM signal can be used to ramp in or ramp outvoltage. For example, current from an H-bridge in a phase can ramp insmoothly instead of turning on at once. Thus, PWM can be a way to limitcurrent such that one smart cell cluster in each string in a SmartCellmodulator can use PWM while the remaining cell clusters can run on oroff as usual. For example, voltage step 1702 can indicate a fixed dutycycle (e.g., at about 10 kHz, 15 kHz, etc.) resulting from running PWMto limit current. The frequency for the duty cycle can be selected togenerate a balance between noise and efficiency. Graph 1700 can beplotted against an incremental value of time (not shown).

The various PWM modes can be:

//pwmMode0: Disabled, all cells can run on/off.

//pwmMode1: Last cell can run PWM, the other cells can run on/off ifenabled. Number of connected cells can depend on a requested stringvoltage fraction.

//pwmMode2: Disabled. all cells can run on/off.

FIG. 18 illustrates a graph demonstrating load sharing in a smart cellsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Referring now to FIG. 18 , in some cases during discharge, inductiveload in a SmartCell system can possibly create harmful situations forbattery cell charging during a limited period of a sine cycle. Differentsmart cell clusters in a string of smart cell clusters can experiencedifferent load patterns when producing a sine wave voltage output,depending on the location of the cells in the string. For example,voltage step 1804 can be generated by a smart cell cluster that canexperience discharge most of the time, however, inductance in the systemcan cause a reaction that can charge the smart cell cluster during acertain amount of time. For example, at some angles in the sine wave,there is a risk of charging the cells. For example, during situations ofcold weather, cells can become sensitive to charging (e.g., a worst-casescenario can be 100% state of charge, i.e., high load on a coldbattery). During such a situation, instead of engaging only one smartcell cluster to generate a voltage output, different smart cell clusterscan be connected for a short time (i.e., during charging). That is, acontroller can cause respective discharge of respective smart cellclusters during a period of reactive charging of the smart cell clusterssuch that individual smart cells of the smart cell clusters can beselectively engaged to product a voltage output. If this can be executedunder a certain time threshold, cell plating phenomena can be avoided.

By changing active cells often, the cells can be protected from damagedue to unwanted cell charging. Thus, it can become necessary to reducethe available amount of cells (e.g., torque limitation) to have cellsready to share the load. For example, FIG. 18 illustrates a sine waveform 1800 that can be generated by two smart cell clusters wherein eachsmart cell cluster can produce a voltage step (e.g., voltage steps 1802and 1804) to generate sine wave form 1800. The same voltage step can beproduced by engaging multiple smart cell clusters. For example, voltagestep 1804 can be produced by engaging cell 1806 for a certain durationof time and during a period of cell charging, cells 1808 and 1810 can beengaged alongside cell 1806, thereby reducing the load on each cell.

FIG. 19 illustrates a step approach to achieving a sine wave current formotor control in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In an embodiment, there can be two ways to achieve a sine wave for motorcontrol or charging: pyramid approach or step approach. The pyramidapproach to generating the sine wave form is illustrated in FIG. 3B.Although the pyramid approach can be a straightforward multi-levelapproach to generating the sine wave, the pyramid approach can presenttwo issues that can be addressed: at high frequencies, the time betweenoff-switch and on-switch events can be very short, and the load ondifferent cells can be very different. A cell sorting algorithm can berequired to change cell priority quite often.

FIG. 19 illustrates the step approach to achieve sine wave 1900. It isto be appreciated that in both the pyramid and the step approaches, eachstep of voltage causes a step to appear on the sine wave, however, inthe step approach, the total voltage of connected steps of voltages canproduce step wave form 1902. Step wave form 1902 illustrated in FIG. 19can depict total voltage of cells connected in series. The step waveform 1902 can indicate each cell step in voltage and length ofconnection. A negative voltage can be produced by switching the celloutput H-bridge to negative.

The pyramid approach can be easy to understand and the discharge time ondifferent cells can vary which can be used to distribute loadaccordingly. A disadvantage can be that in some cases the time betweenswitching on and off can become very short which can put more load on acontroller. That is, the pyramid approach can lead to significantdifferences in loads between smart cell clusters and short times betweeninterrupts. The step approach can evenly distribute the load on eachsmart cell cluster and a duty cycle of connected cells using the stepapproach, can be between about 57 percent (%) to 63%, which can besuitable for an interrupt-based algorithm. Since the load on each cellwith the step approach can be very evenly distributed, a cell sortingalgorithm can be run at a much lower pace which can be good for lessnetwork and processing load.

FIG. 20 illustrates a sine wave angle calculation for a step approach inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 20 illustrates a sine wave 2000 generated by the step approach, asdiscussed in one or more embodiments herein. The angles of sine wave2000 required at on-switch and off-switch to generate the stepped waveform can be determined as follows:

At 2002, on switch angle=inv sine(1,5/2)=48,59 deg., for a voltage stepproduced by a first cell (or cell cluster).

At 2004, off switch angle=inv sine(1-1,5/2)=14,47 deg., for the voltagestep produced by the first cell (or cell cluster).

At 2006, on switch angle=inv sine(0,5/2)=14,47 deg., for a voltage stepproduced by a second cell (or cell cluster).

At 2008, off switch angle=inv sine(1-0,5/2)=48,59 deg., for the voltagestep produced by the second cell (or cell cluster). In the off switchangle calculations at 2004 and 2008, the subtraction (e.g., 1-0) in theparenthesis allows for mirroring the positive slope calculation togenerate a negative slope.

FIG. 21 illustrates a timeline for sorting of cells during sine wavecreation in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

When a sine wave current is generated, all cells in a cluster can beused for high voltage requirements, however, many times only a few cellscan be required to be switched in for generating the voltage if there islow torque in the machine. In such a scenario, it can be necessary toload cells differently and to use different cells at different occasionsto balance out the load on each cell. FIG. 21 can illustrate a timeline2100 to execute a sorting of cells as discussed herein. The timeline canbe referred to as a PrioSorting timeline wherein the timeline cancomprise a data freeze event 2102, such that from data freeze event2102, the state of charge (SOC) value can remain unchanged until afterthe next SOC update event. Update events are illustrated by the verticaldashed lines. Next, data transmission 2104 can occur during which timeall units can communicate their current SOC. This can be included in thestandard secondary response broadcast. During data verification 2106,the secondary nodes can communicate a checksum from a system SOC resultcalculation (described as “SystemSOCResultCalc” in the figure). In caseof the same response from all secondary nodes, a new prior list can beallowed at update SOC event 2108.

The system SOC result calculation can be defined as basicallycalculating checksum on SOC values from all nodes and timestamp for nextSOC update event. This way all nodes can make their own decision onwhether it is time to update list. When some secondary nodes choose toupdate and some don't, fault handling can be implemented, controlled bythe primary node, that can inform the secondary nodes that don't respondcorrectly, to shut down or respond. Secondary nodes that don't receivemessages can automatically go into bypass mode. Secondary nodes thatdon't respond to the primary node can generate a zero or not a number(NaN) in SOC and the unresponsive secondary nodes can be excluded fromthe sort list. Diagnostic functionality can be implemented for the same.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternate timeline for sorting of cells duringsine wave creation in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternate timeline 2200 for sorting of cellsduring sine wave creation. In this alternate approach, the timeline cancomprise a data freeze event 2202, data transmission 2204, dataverification 2206, and SOC update event 2208. In this approach, fromdata freeze event 2202, the SOC value can remain unchanged until afterSOC update event 2208, and the primary node can broadcast an SOC vectorwith the values from all devices. Further, during data verification2206, the secondary nodes can communicate checksum from system SOCresult calculation. In case of the same response from all secondarynodes, a new prior list can be allowed at SOC update event 2208.

FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of 3-phase motor control in accordancewith one or more embodiments described herein. FIG. 23 illustratestwo-phase, three-phase, and rotating reference frames at 2300. FIG. 24illustrates a flow diagram 2400 of a Clarke Park transform controlprocess in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

As discussed in one or more embodiments herein, a primary node cangenerate a virtual sine wave, the modulator. This can be done bybroadcasting propulsion request information at a predetermined pace, forexample, about every 1 ms. Since broadcasted transmission delay can bewell defined and absolute time can be transmitted in a broadcastedmessage, a complete system can have the same absolute time with anaccuracy better than 1 μs. All secondary nodes can be aware of theirposition in the SmartCell system. They can receive broadcastedinformation at the same time, and they can connect and disconnectthemselves depending on a modulator angle. The secondary nodes can beconnected in three strings and together they can create three sineshaped voltages that can be controlled to achieve desired phase currents(torque). Sine wave step size can, in a 2-cell setup be twice the cellvoltage, and the resolution can be dependent on the modulator voltage.

In cases where better resolution can be needed for current control, onesecondary node can run in PWM mode. In a SmartCell control approach,since the update rate can be limited to about 1 ms from the requestingprimary node to all executing secondary nodes, it can be difficult toachieve stable control. By distributing responsibility for feedbackcontrol to each secondary node, very high, industry standard controlfrequencies (e.g., about 10 kHz) can be managed.

Motor control can be the most challenging task for this implementation,but the same strategies can be used for charging/discharging a vehicleconnected to the grid. In this case, it can be possible to measureamplitude and timing in the grid, align the SmartCell system, andconnect to the grid. Then, the phase can be adjusted to achieve adesired charge/discharge current. With a galvanic isolated communicationwithout the hassle of connecting wires to all switches, this can be usedin any multi-level inverter application. A Clarke Park transformfunction can further assist with motor control.

A Clarke Park transform function can allow 3-phase currents in athree-phase reference frame (e.g., three-phase reference frame of FIG.23 ) to be converted to stationary vectors in a two-phase referenceframe (e.g., two-phase reference frame of FIG. 23 ), wherein an inversePark transform can convert the stationary vectors to a rotatingreference frame (e.g. rotating reference frame of FIG. 23 ). In motorcontrol, torque request can be converted to the stationary currentvectors Iq-Ref and Id-Ref, wherein Iq-Ref and Id-Ref can be a set pointfor the control loop. As part of an error calculation and controlprocess, 3-phase currents can be sampled at about 10 kHz and convertedto the stationary vectors Iq-Measure and Id-Measure. This conversion canbe done using a Clarke Park transform and electric angle informationfrom a resolver. Comparing Iq-Ref and Iq-Measure can determine the errorthat can be handled in the control process (PI-loop) that gives newstationary Id and Iq. For reconversion back to rotating vector spacemodulation (3-phase inverter) the stationary vectors can be converted torotating vectors using inverse Park transform and resolver angle andexecuted in a 3-phase half bridge PWM generator.

In one or more embodiments discussed herein, a setpoint for desiredcurrent can be achieved by converting the torque request to thestationary vectors, however, since an inverse Park transform can bedifficult to execute due to the distributed nature of the SmartCellsystem and since it can be difficult to connect a resolver signal to allthe secondary nodes, motor control can be achieved in a differentmanner. Each secondary node can be one part of one of three phases(strings). All secondary nodes in one string can act as one powerfulvoltage source. They can do this since all nodes know their role andbased on a broadcasted request they can know when and how to operate anH-bridge circuit on respective smart battery cells or smart battery cellclusters. The secondary nodes can, depending on the requested torque, beable to calculate expected current shape. This calculation can havemodulator angle, physical motor parameters and request information asinput. The measured current in the string can be used as feedback tofollow expected current shape. This way the complete system can be builtup by a 3-phase current control.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of distributed feedback control inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 25 illustrates SmartCell system 2500 with several secondary nodesand primary node 2503. SmartCell system 2500, primary node 2503 canwirelessly broadcast data comprising at least phase current information,phase angle information, present cycle time information, resolver angleinformation, modulator angle information and a torque request to the oneor more secondary nodes. Primary node 2503 can broadcast the data duringupdate events wherein consecutive update events can be scheduled about 1ms apart. Individual secondary nodes can use the broadcasted data torespectively control individual smart battery cells of SmartCell system2500 to produce a three-phase current. The individual smart batterycells can form three phases of smart battery cells such that eachindividual phase can represent a string of smart battery cells connectedvia series connection. Thus, three individual phases (or strings of thesmart battery cells) can produce a three-phase current.

For example, primary node 2503 can receive torque request 2502, andusing a Clarke Park transform, the primary node can convert the torquerequest to stationary vectors d and q. At 2506, primary node 2503 canconvert stationary vectors d and q to phase angle and phase current,respectively, to realize AC power control from stationary. At 2510,primary node 2503 can receive measured phase current information (e.g.,a, b, c phase current) for individual phases (or strings) of the smartbattery cells. At 2504, primary node 2503 can receive rotor positioninformation. Primary node 2503 can broadcast a message such as primarytransmission message 2507 comprising data, wherein the data comprises atleast a present cycle time request, phase current request, phase anglerequest, resolver angle, and modulator angle, to the secondary nodes.Primary transmission message 2507 can also comprise the measured phasecurrent information can rotor position information.

Using data transmitted through the primary transmission message 2507,the secondary nodes can calculate individual current requirements forrespective individual phases of smart battery cells to generate athree-phase current that can operate an electric motor. Using their owncurrent sensors, the secondary nodes can measure current in therespective individual phases of smart battery cells. The secondary nodescan use the difference between the measured current and required currentfor the individual phases to calculate error and execute a high-speedclosed-loop phase current control (at about 10 kHz) to achieve thedesired three-phase current.

Thus, three-phase current measurement, although uncommon for motorcontrol, can be used for generating a three-phase current bydistributing responsibility for feedback control to the secondary nodes.Cycle time, current setpoint and resolver angle can be updated aboutevery 1 ms. The secondary nodes can also measure current at zerocrossing, to determine a phase difference between a current value and avoltage value, to achieve a desired three-phase current between theconsecutive update events. The current value can be measured by thesecondary nodes using dead reckoning.

FIG. 26 illustrates a flow diagram demonstrating internal currentcontrol via secondary nodes in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. FIG. 26 illustrates, at 2600, phase current 2602 andmodulator voltage 2604. Repetitive description of like elements and/orprocesses employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake ofbrevity.

In an embodiment, during normal operation, such as during generation ofsine wave 2606, modulator voltage 2604 can be controlled by switching indifferent numbers of cells in a SmartCell modulator loop, or by runningsecondary nodes in bypass mode. For controlling modulator voltage 2604,cells are normally switched as on/off switches, and one cell or smartcell cluster in each string of a SmartCell system can fine tune currentby running PWM mode. For example, in case of current fluctuations, suchas at voltage step 2608 of sine wave 2606, PWM can be run by one smartcell cluster on each string to adjust the current production. Further,at low amplitudes and low frequencies the SmartCell system can dependmore on PWM control from one cell cluster in each string. The PWM dutycycle can change or be different based on modulator angle such asgenerated as a result of voltage step 2610. At stand still, each stringcan output voltages that can correspond to the mechanical position ofthe electric motor. Since the load can be circulated between differentcells, it can produce high torque for a long period of time.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram for distributed torque control inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

FIG. 27 illustrates SmartCell system 2700 with several secondary nodesand primary node 2703. Primary node 2703 can receive a torque request2702, and primary node can broadcast message 2706 comprising therequested torque, resolver angle information, and phase current andphase angle information every 1 ms to the secondary nodes. As discussedin one or more embodiments herein, primary node 2703 can calculate phasebetween the rotor and modulator at 2704 upon receiving phase currentinformation and rotor position information from the electric motor. Thesecondary nodes can use the torque request and resolver angle to performcompletely distributed torque control. To increase control feedbackspeed the secondary nodes can use their own current sensor to achieve adesired phase current, and a secondary node can also measure the phasebetween current and voltage to adjust its own phase. The responsibilityfor motor control can be distributed to all secondary nodes that can run3-phase control algorithms. As discussed in one or more embodimentsherein, the primary node can broadcast torque request and phaseinformation from a resolver about every 1 ms. The secondary nodes canconvert a torque request to vectors d and q to generate phase angle andphase current information, respectively, and the secondary nodes can beresponsible for their own cycle time. Complete AC power control can berealized by the pack of secondary nodes illustrated at 2708.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow diagram for speed request in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

FIG. 28 illustrates SmartCell system 2800 with several secondary nodesand primary node 2803. Primary node 2803 can receive speed request 2802,calculate a phase difference, between a rotor position of an electricmotor and a modulator voltage, based on resolver angle information, at2804. Primary node 2803 can wirelessly broadcast information, comprisinga speed request and modulator voltage information (e.g., speed andvoltage request 2808), based on the calculated phase difference, to thesecondary nodes as part of message 2810. Based on the broadcastedinformation, a speed control task 2806 can be executed, wherein thephase difference between the mechanical position of the electric motorand a modulator can be adjusted.

For example, upon a determination by the primary node that the phasedifference falls outside of a desired threshold, wherein such asituation can imply that there is not enough torque to maintain adesired speed, the primary node can request the secondary nodes toadjust an existing phase current amplitude, to generate a desiredtorque. The modulator speed can be changed according to the mechanicalspeed, and the modulator can remain synchronized with the mechanicalposition of the electric motor. For example, upon a determination thatthe phase difference falls within the defined threshold, the primarynode can request the one or more secondary nodes to generate apre-defined phase current amplitude, to maintain the desired torque.This is illustrated by graph 2812 which shows a requested modulator % onthe y-axis and the mechanical rotor position on the x-axis. Plot 2814 ofgraph 2812 can illustrate an exemplary phase difference between themechanical position of the electric motor and a modulator. Next, thesecondary nodes can run the requested speed and modulator voltage thatcan be updated every 1 ms.

In all control cases discussed heretofore, the secondary nodes' task canbe to output a voltage to realize a current that can produce torque.This can be done differently at high voltage amplitudes compared to lowvoltage amplitudes. This can be done with or without fast feedbacksolutions. Different control approaches can be a result of maturity andhardware control. The speed request can be the most basic implementationand can require no current sensing for the control loop. Further, thesecondary nodes can intelligently and selectively engage one or moresmart battery cells to perform the various requests or to otherwiseprovide independent control for enabling primary/secondary worksplitwhere possible.

FIG. 29 illustrates a method in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Repetitive description of like elements and/orprocesses employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake ofbrevity.

In one or more embodiments, environment 2900 can comprise, at 2902,engaging, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, one or moresecondary nodes to execute a speed request for generating a desiredspeed.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. Repetitive description of like elementsand/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sakeof brevity.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram 3000. In accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein, one or more secondary nodes can controlone or more respective smart cell clusters to execute speed requestsfrom a primary node, wherein the speed requests can comprise a requestto generate a necessary amount of current to enable an electric motor togenerate a desired speed. The primary node can calculate a phasedifference between a rotor position of the electric motor and anexisting modulator voltage, based on resolver angle information, todetermine whether the phase difference falls within a defined threshold.For example, at 3002, the primary node can determine if a phasedifference between the mechanical position of the rotor and themodulator voltage is withing a threshold. In case, a significant phasedifference is detected, the primary node can generate a speed requestand modulator voltage request to secondary nodes, based on which, thesecondary nodes can cause respective smart battery cells to adjust aphase current amplitude to generate a desired torque, at 3006. In case,a near-zero phase difference is detected, that is, in case the phasedifference falls within a defined threshold, the primary node cangenerate a speed request and modulator voltage request to the secondarynodes, based on which, the secondary nodes can cause respective smartbattery cells to generate a pre-defined phase current amplitude based onexpected load, at 3004.

Abbreviations:

SmartCell modulator: The system built up by primary and secondary nodes,wherein the system can generate 3-phase power control.

Modulator: A virtual voltage that can be created as a result of a sum ofvoltages in each string, wherein the virtual voltage can be used torealize desired phase currents. The virtual voltage can have the shapeof sine waves with cell voltage (*x) steps size.

Modulator angle: The angular position of the virtual voltage from thefirst string. This can be used to calculate phase between modulatorvoltage and current, as well as phase between modulator voltage andmechanical position.

Global update event: An event that can occur about every 1 ms and at thesame time in the whole SmartCell system. At this time, speed and torquechanges request can be performed simultaneously.

On_offset: A time between voltage zero crossing and switch-on time.

Off_offset: Active time.

In accordance with one or more non-limiting embodiments, a device thatcan facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoringand switches is described herein. The device can comprise a batterydevice and/or a battery cell device that can be implemented in a varietyof different electronic systems. In an embodiment, the device can beimplemented as a single battery device and/or a single battery celldevice. In another embodiment, the device can be implemented as a singlebattery device and/or a single battery cell device in a battery pack(also referred to as a battery array, battery bank, power bank, etc.).In another embodiment, the device can be implemented as a single batterydevice and/or a single battery cell device in a battery pack used in anelectric driveline of an electric vehicle (EV).

The device can comprise a terminal having cell poles and/or acommunication port. In an embodiment, the device can further comprise asmart cell module that can be coupled to terminal(s) and/or cell polesand further coupled to an active cell material and/or cell materialpoles of active cell material. In this embodiment, the device canfurther comprise a casing that can encapsulate one or more components ofthe device. For example, the casing can encapsulate active cellmaterial, cell material poles, and/or a smart cell module. In someembodiments, the casing can also encapsulate (e.g., partially or fully)terminal and/or cell poles. In an example embodiment, the device canfurther comprise a gas evacuation that can be formed on a side of deviceand/or casing.

Terminal(s) can comprise a battery terminal. Cell poles can comprisebattery cell poles (e.g., a positive battery terminal and a negativebattery terminal). Terminal(s) and/or cell poles can comprise anelectrically conducting material that can facilitate the transfer ofelectric current and/or voltage to and/or from the smart cell moduleand/or active cell material (e.g., via cell material poles).

A communication port can enable a wired connection of the device (e.g.,a wired connection of the smart cell module) to another device (e.g., acomputer, a controller (e.g., microcontroller), a transceiver, aprocessor, a memory, etc.). Although the example embodiment comprisescommunication port that can facilitate a wired connection to the device(e.g., to smart cell module), it should be appreciated that the subjectdisclosure is not so limiting. For example, in some embodiments, asdescribed below, the device and/or one or more components thereof (e.g.,smart cell module) can comprise a transmitter, a receiver, and/or atransceiver that can facilitate wireless communication over a network(e.g., the Internet, etc.) between device (e.g., smart cell module) andanother device (e.g., a computing and/or communication device of anelectric vehicle comprising the device, a computing resource in a cloudcomputing environment (e.g., a virtual machine, a virtual computer, aserver, a memory, etc.), and/or another device).

The smart cell module can comprise an intelligent (e.g., “smart”)separator (e.g., interface) between cell poles (e.g., external cellpoles) of the terminal and cell material poles (e.g., internal cellpoles) of active cell material. Smart cell module can comprise aninternal circuit of the device. Smart cell module can comprise anintegrated circuit (IC) that can be formed on a substrate (e.g., asilicon (Si) substrate, etc.) using one or more fabrication techniquesand/or materials described below.

Fabrication of the device and/or smart cell module can comprisemulti-step sequences of, for example, photolithographic and/or chemicalprocessing steps that facilitate gradual creation of electronic-basedsystems, devices, components, and/or circuits in a semiconducting and/ora superconducting device (e.g., an IC). For instance, the smart cellmodule can be fabricated on a substrate (e.g., a silicon (Si) substrate,etc.) by employing techniques including, but not limited to:photolithography, microlithography, nanolithography, nanoimprintlithography, photomasking techniques, patterning techniques, photoresisttechniques (e.g., positive-tone photoresist, negative-tone photoresist,hybrid-tone photoresist, etc.), etching techniques (e.g., reactive ionetching (RIE), dry etching, wet etching, ion beam etching, plasmaetching, laser ablation, etc.), evaporation techniques, sputteringtechniques, plasma ashing techniques, thermal treatments (e.g., rapidthermal anneal, furnace anneals, thermal oxidation, etc.), chemicalvapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), physical vapordeposition (PVD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), electrochemicaldeposition (ECD), chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP), backgrindingtechniques, and/or another technique for fabricating an integratedcircuit.

The device and/or smart cell module can be fabricated using variousmaterials. For example, the device and/or smart cell module can befabricated using materials of one or more different material classesincluding, but not limited to: conductive materials, semiconductingmaterials, superconducting materials, dielectric materials, polymermaterials, organic materials, inorganic materials, non-conductivematerials, and/or another material that can be utilized with one or moreof the techniques described above for fabricating an integrated circuit.

Although the example embodiment describes the smart cell modulepositioned vertically in the device between terminal and active cellmaterial, it should be appreciated that the subject disclosure is not solimiting. For example, in another embodiment, smart cell module can bepositioned (e.g., vertically, horizontally, etc.) in and/or on, forinstance, casing, active cell material, a battery pack comprisingdevice, and/or at another location in and/or on the device and/or such abattery pack comprising device.

The smart cell module can be implemented in the device to form anintelligent battery cell that can comprise one or more integratedmonitoring components and/or switches that can facilitate differentparameter monitoring and/or collection operations and/or differentoperating modes of the device in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the subject disclosure described herein. For example, the smart cellmodule can comprise one or more sensors that can monitor and/or collectparameter data of the device and/or one or more components thereof. Forinstance, the smart cell module can comprise one or more sensors (e.g.,one or more sensors) that can monitor and/or collect parameter data ofthe device and/or active cell material including, but not limited to:temperature; pressure (e.g., swelling); chemistry (e.g., chemistry onelectrolyte to monitor aging); acceleration (e.g., to sense a crash of,for instance, an electric vehicle comprising device); current (e.g.,current flowing into and/or out of device and/or active cell material);voltage (e.g., voltage potential across cell material poles of activecell material); and/or other parameter data of the device and/or activecell material. In these examples, the smart cell module can furthercomprise one or more switches (e.g., one or more switches) that cancomprise, for instance, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effecttransistor (MOSFET) switches that can facilitate different operatingmodes of the device (e.g., off, positive, negative, bypass, etc.) inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosuredescribed herein.

To facilitate such parameter monitoring and/or different operating modesof the device described above, the smart cell module can comprise aprocessor, a memory, one or more sensors, and/or one or more switches.For example, the smart cell module can comprise a processor (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, etc.), a memory, one ormore sensors (e.g., temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc.), and/orone or more switches (e.g., MOSFET switches) that can enable theparameter monitoring and/or different operating modes of the devicedescribed above.

In some embodiments, the device and/or the smart cell module cancomprise a switch controller that can control (e.g., via a processor)operation of such one or more switches (e.g., MOSFET switches) tofacilitate such different operating modes of the device described above.In some embodiments, a battery pack that can comprise multiple devicesand/or smart cell modules can comprise such a switch controllerdescribed above. In these embodiments, such a switch controller in sucha battery pack can control (e.g., via a processor and/or anotherprocessor) operation of such one or more switches (e.g., MOSFETswitches) in each device to facilitate such different operating modes ofeach device described above.

The device can comprise a modular component that can function and/or becontrolled independent of all other battery devices and/or battery celldevices (e.g., other devices) that can be in a battery pack. Therefore,it should be appreciated that one or more devices in such a battery packcan be removed and/or replaced without affecting the structure and/orfunctionality of the battery pack and/or any other devices in thebattery pack.

Active cell material can comprise active battery cell material such as,for instance, a battery cell (also referred to as a “cell”). Active cellmaterial can comprise a single battery cell or, in some embodiments,multiple individual battery cells that can be positioned inside casingaccording to a variety of patterns (e.g., vertically, horizontally,etc.). Active cell material can comprise any type of battery cellmaterial such as, for instance, a lithium battery cell material, alithium ion (Li-Ion) battery cell material, a lithium metal battery cellmaterial, a lithium sulphur (Li—S) battery cell material, a molten salt(Na—NiCl₂) battery cell material, a nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batterycell material, a lead acid battery cell material, and/or another type ofbattery cell material.

Gas evacuation can comprise a device and/or structure that canfacilitate the release of gas from a casing that can be generated byactive cell material (e.g., during charging, discharging, etc.). Forexample, gas evacuation can comprise a vent, a port, a hole, a plate, aflap, a valve (e.g., a pressure relief valve, a one-way valve, a checkvalve, etc.), and/or another device and/or structure that can facilitatethe release of gas from the casing.

The smart cell module can comprise any type of component, machine,device, facility, apparatus, and/or instrument that can comprise aprocessor and/or can be capable of effective and/or operativecommunication with a wired and/or wireless network. All such embodimentsare envisioned. For example, the smart cell module can comprise acomputing device, a general-purpose computer, a special-purposecomputer, a quantum computing device (e.g., a quantum computer), anintegrated circuit, a system on a chip (SOC), and/or another type ofdevice.

The smart cell module can be coupled (e.g., communicatively,electrically, operatively, optically, etc.) to one or more externalsystems, sources, and/or devices (e.g., classical and/or quantumcomputing devices, communication devices, etc.). For example, smart cellmodule can be coupled via a communication port to one or more externalsystems, sources, and/or devices using a data cable (e.g.,High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), recommended standard (RS)232, Ethernet cable, etc.) and/or one or more wired networks describedbelow.

In some embodiments, the smart cell module can be coupled (e.g.,communicatively, electrically, operatively, optically, etc.) to one ormore external systems, sources, and/or devices (e.g., classical and/orquantum computing devices, communication devices, etc.) via a network.The network can comprise one or more wired and/or wireless networks,including, but not limited to, a cellular network, a wide area network(WAN) (e.g., the Internet), and/or a local area network (LAN). Forexample, the smart cell module can communicate with one or more externalsystems, sources, and/or devices, for instance, computing devices usingthe network, which can comprise virtually any desired wired or wirelesstechnology, including but not limited to: powerline ethernet, wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi), BLUETOOTH®, fiber optic communications, global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunicationssystem (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX),enhanced general packet radio service (enhanced GPRS), third generationpartnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generationpartnership project 2 (3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speedpacket access (HSPA), Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologiesand/or legacy telecommunication technologies, Session InitiationProtocol (SIP), ZIGBEE®, RF4CE protocol, WirelessHART protocol, 6LoWPAN(IPv6 over Low power Wireless Area Networks), Z-Wave, an ANT, anultra-wideband (UWB) standard protocol, and/or other proprietary andnon-proprietary communication protocols. In such an example and asdescribed above, the smart cell module can thus include hardware (e.g.,a central processing unit (CPU), a transceiver, a decoder, an antenna,quantum hardware, a quantum processor, etc.), software (e.g., a set ofthreads, a set of processes, software in execution, quantum pulseschedule, quantum circuit, quantum gates, etc.) or a combination ofhardware and software that facilitates communicating information betweenthe smart cell module and external systems, sources, and/or devices(e.g., computing devices, communication devices, etc.).

The battery pack can be implemented in an electronic system such as, forinstance, an electric driveline of an electric vehicle (EV).

The smart cell module can comprise multiple sections including, but notlimited to, a switch section, a monitor and/or control section, anenergy section, and/or another section. Switch section can comprise anH-bridge electronic circuit having multiple switches (e.g., 4 switchescomprising 4 MOSFET switches). A monitor and/or control section cancomprise a processor, memory, and/or one or more sensors. To facilitatevarious monitoring and/or control functions of the smart cell moduleand/or the device, the smart cell module, processor, memory, one or moresensors, and/or one or more switches can use (e.g., draw) electricenergy (e.g., electric power, electric current, electric voltage) fromactive cell material. For example, the processor and/or memory can becoupled to active cell material via wire traces (e.g., integrated metalwires, striplines, microstrips, etc.), which can enable smart cellmodule, processor, memory, one or more sensors, and/or one or moreswitches to draw electric energy (e.g., electric power, electriccurrent, electric voltage) from active cell material. Energy section cancomprise active cell material and cell material poles which can enablethe transfer of electric energy (e.g., electric current, electricvoltage, etc.) into and out of active cell material, smart cell module,and/or the device.

As smart cell module and/or one or more components thereof (e.g.,processor, memory, one or more sensors, one or more switches, etc.) candraw electric energy (e.g., electric power) from active cell material,it should be appreciated that device and/or smart cell module canthereby eliminate galvanic contact of one or more components of devicewith one or more devices that are external to device (e.g., anotherbattery device and/or battery cell device in a battery pack comprisingthe device). By eliminating such galvanic contact, device and/or smartcell module can thereby provide enhanced safety when compared toexisting battery device and/or battery cell device technologies (e.g.,when compared to prior art battery device and/or battery cell devicetechnologies). Additionally, or alternatively, by eliminating suchgalvanic contact, device and/or smart cell module can thereby eliminatehardware such as, for instance, cables, which are used in existingbattery pack and/or battery management system (BMS) technologies (e.g.,BMS wires coupled to one or more battery devices and/or battery celldevices in a battery pack).

Processor can comprise one or more types of processors and/or electroniccircuitry (e.g., a classical processor, a quantum processor, etc.) thatcan implement one or more computer and/or machine readable, writable,and/or executable components and/or instructions that can be stored onmemory. For example, the processor can perform various operations thatcan be specified by such computer and/or machine readable, writable,and/or executable components and/or instructions including, but notlimited to, logic, control, input/output (I/O), arithmetic, and/or thelike. The processor can comprise one or more central processing unit(CPU), multi-core processor, microprocessor, dual microprocessors,microcontroller, System on a Chip (SOC), array processor, vectorprocessor, quantum processor, and/or another type of processor. Suchexamples of the processor can be employed to implement any embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

In an example embodiment, the processor can comprise a centralprocessing unit (CPU) such as, for example, a microprocessor. In someembodiments, processor can comprise and/or employ one or more machinelearning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) models to learn, forinstance, one or more operating conditions and/or cause and effectconditions corresponding to the device and/or an external device coupledto the device. In these embodiments, based on learning such one or moreoperating conditions and/or cause and effect conditions, the processorcan further employ the one or more ML and/or AI models to perform one ormore tasks including, but not limited to, making a prediction, making anestimation (e.g., cell capacity (e.g., electric energy) of active cellmaterial), classifying data, implementing one or more monitoring and/orcontrol operations of the device and/or smart cell module, and/oranother task.

The memory can store one or more computer and/or machine readable,writable, and/or executable components and/or instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor (e.g., a classical processor, a quantumprocessor, etc.), can facilitate performance of operations defined bythe executable component(s) and/or instruction(s). For example, thememory can store computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components and/or instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, can facilitate execution of the various functions describedherein relating to the device and/or smart cell module as describedherein with or without reference to the various figures of the subjectdisclosure. For instance, the memory can store computer and/or machinereadable, writable, and/or executable components and/or instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, can facilitate one or more of suchparameter monitoring tasks described above and/or to facilitate loggingof monitoring data collected by one or more sensors. In another example,memory can store computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components and/or instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, can facilitate operation of one or more switches to configurethe device to operate in one or more operation modes described herein.

In an embodiment, the memory can store computer and/or machine readable,writable, and/or executable components and/or instructions such as, forinstance, a monitoring component that, when executed by the processor,can employ one or more sensors of the smart cell module in the device tocollect parameter data corresponding to the device and/or one or morecomponents thereof. In this embodiment, such a monitoring component canfurther store and/or log (e.g., via the processor) the parameter data inmemory.

In another embodiment, the memory can store computer and/or machinereadable, writable, and/or executable components and/or instructionssuch as, for instance, a machine learning component that, when executedby the processor, can facilitate operation of one or more switches(e.g., based on parameter data collected from the device) to configurethe device to operate in one or more operation modes described herein.In this embodiment, such a machine learning component can learn toidentify certain parameter data collected from the device that can beindicative of certain events and/or conditions associated with thedevice, a battery pack comprising device, and/or an electronic system(e.g., an electric driveline of an EV) comprising the device. Forexample, the machine learning component can learn (e.g., by beingtrained using one or more supervised leaning techniques, unsupervisedlearning techniques, etc.) to identify certain parameter data that canbe indicative of, for instance: a high or low state of charge (SoC) inthe device; a crash of a vehicle (e.g., an EV) comprising the device; ahigh or low temperature of one or more components of the device; a highor low pressure in the device, and/or another event and/or condition. Inthis example, based on identifying such parameter data that can beindicative of one or more such events and/or conditions defined above,the machine learning component can then configure the device (e.g., viathe processor, one or more switches, etc.) in a certain operation modeas described above (e.g., in an off mode and/or a bypass mode based ondetecting a crash of a vehicle comprising the device). In someembodiments, such a machine learning component described above cancomprise a machine learning model based on artificial intelligence (AI)including, but not limited to, a shallow or deep neural network model, asupport vector machine (SVM) model, a classifier, a decision treeclassifier, a regression model, and/or any supervised or unsupervisedmachine learning model that can perform the operations of the machinelearning component described above.

The memory can comprise volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc.) and/or non-volatilememory (e.g., read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), etc.) that can employ one or more memoryarchitectures. Such examples of the memory can be employed to implementany embodiments of the subject disclosure.

One or more embodiments can be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product can include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out one or more aspects of the presentembodiments.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network can comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention can be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions can executeentirely on the entity's computer, partly on the entity's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the entity's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to theentity's computer through any type of network, including a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can bemade to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using anInternet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitryincluding, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmablegate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) can execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It can be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions can be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionscan also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks cansometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

In connection with FIG. 31 , the systems and processes described belowcan be embodied within hardware, such as a single integrated circuit(IC) chip, multiple ICs, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or the like. Further, the order in which some or all of theprocess blocks appear in each process should not be deemed limiting.Rather, it should be understood that some of the process blocks can beexecuted in a variety of orders, not all of which can be explicitlyillustrated herein.

With reference to FIG. 31 , an example environment 3100 for implementingvarious aspects of the claimed subject matter includes a computer 3102.The computer 3102 includes a processing unit 3104, a system memory 3106,a codec 3135, and a system bus 3108. The system bus 3108 couples systemcomponents including, but not limited to, the system memory 3106 to theprocessing unit 3104. The processing unit 3104 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as the processing unit 3104.

The system bus 3108 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 13224), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 3106 includes volatile memory 3110 and non-volatilememory 3112, which can employ one or more of the disclosed memoryarchitectures, in various embodiments. The basic input/output system(BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information betweenelements within the computer 3102, such as during start-up, is stored innon-volatile memory 3112. In addition, according to present innovations,codec 3135 can include at least one of an encoder or decoder, whereinthe at least one of an encoder or decoder can consist of hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. Although, codec3135 is depicted as a separate component, codec 3135 can be containedwithin non-volatile memory 3112. By way of illustration, and notlimitation, non-volatile memory 3112 can include read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash memory, 3D Flashmemory, or resistive memory such as resistive random access memory(RRAM). Non-volatile memory 3112 can employ one or more of the disclosedmemory devices, in at least some embodiments. Moreover, non-volatilememory 3112 can be computer memory (e.g., physically integrated withcomputer 3102 or a mainboard thereof), or removable memory. Examples ofsuitable removable memory with which disclosed embodiments can beimplemented can include a secure digital (SD) card, a compact Flash (CF)card, a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick, or the like. Volatilememory 3110 includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as externalcache memory, and can also employ one or more disclosed memory devicesin various embodiments. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAMis available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM(DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM),and enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM) and so forth.

Computer 3102 can also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage medium. FIG. 31 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 3114. Disk storage 3114 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, solid state disk (SSD),flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage 3114 caninclude storage medium separately or in combination with other storagemedium including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as acompact disk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CDrewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive(DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage 3114 to thesystem bus 3108, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 3116. It is appreciated that disk storage 3114can store information related to an entity. Such information might bestored at or provided to a server or to an application running on anentity device. In one embodiment, the entity can be notified (e.g., byway of output device(s) 3136) of the types of information that arestored to disk storage 3114 or transmitted to the server or application.The entity can be provided the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out ofhaving such information collected or shared with the server orapplication (e.g., by way of input from input device(s) 3128).

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 31 describes software that acts as anintermediary between entities and the basic computer resources describedin the suitable operating environment 3100. Such software includes anoperating system 3118. Operating system 3118, which can be stored ondisk storage 3114, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer system 3102. Applications 3120 take advantage of the managementof resources by operating system 3118 through program modules 3124, andprogram data 3126, such as the boot/shutdown transaction table and thelike, stored either in system memory 3106 or on disk storage 3114. It isto be appreciated that the claimed subject matter can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

An entity enters commands or information into the computer 3102 throughinput device(s) 3128. Input devices 3128 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and thelike. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 3104through the system bus 3108 via interface port(s) 3130. Interfaceport(s) 3130 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, agame port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 3136 usesome of the same type of ports as input device(s) 3128. Thus, forexample, a USB port can be used to provide input to computer 3102 and tooutput information from computer 3102 to an output device 3136. Outputadapter 3134 is provided to illustrate that there are some outputdevices 3136 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices 3136, which require special adapters. The output adapters 3134include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide a means of connection between the output device 3136and the system bus 3108. It should be noted that other devices orsystems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such asremote computer(s) 3138.

Computer 3102 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)3138. The remote computer(s) 3138 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device, a smart phone, a tablet, or other network node, andtypically includes many of the elements described relative to computer3102. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 3140 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 3138. Remote computer(s) 3138 islogically connected to computer 3102 through a network interface 3142and then connected via communication connection(s) 3144. Networkinterface 3142 encompasses wire or wireless communication networks suchas local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN) and cellularnetworks. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ringand the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 3144 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 3142 to the bus 3108. Whilecommunication connection 3144 is shown for illustrative clarity insidecomputer 3102, it can also be external to computer 3102. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 3142includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and wired and wirelessEthernet cards, hubs, and routers.

The illustrated aspects of the disclosure may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Referring to FIG. 32 , there is illustrated a schematic block diagram ofa computing environment 3200 in accordance with this disclosure in whichthe subject systems (e.g., system 100, the like), methods and computerreadable media can be deployed. The computing environment 3200 includesone or more client(s) 3202 (e.g., laptops, smart phones, PDAs, mediaplayers, computers, portable electronic devices, tablets, and the like).The client(s) 3202 can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The computing environment 3200 alsoincludes one or more server(s) 3204. The server(s) 3204 can also behardware or hardware in combination with software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The servers 3204 can house threads toperform transformations by employing aspects of this disclosure, forexample. In various embodiments, one or more components, devices,systems, or subsystems of system 100 and/or system 200 can be deployedas hardware and/or software at a client 3202 and/or as hardware and/orsoftware deployed at a server 3204. One possible communication between aclient 3202 and a server 3204 can be in the form of a data packettransmitted between two or more computer processes wherein the datapacket may include healthcare related data, training data, AI models,input data for the AI models and the like. The data packet can include ametadata, e.g., associated contextual information, for example. Thecomputing environment 3200 includes a communication framework 3206(e.g., a global communication network such as the Internet, or mobilenetwork(s)) that can be employed to facilitate communications betweenthe client(s) 3202 and the server(s) 3204.

Communications can be facilitated via a wired (including optical fiber)and/or wireless technology. The client(s) 3202 include or areoperatively connected to one or more client data store(s) 3208 that canbe employed to store information local to the client(s) 3202 (e.g.,associated contextual information). Similarly, the server(s) 3204 areoperatively include or are operatively connected to one or more serverdata store(s) 3210 that can be employed to store information local tothe servers 3204 (e.g., application data).

In one embodiment, a client 3202 can transfer an encoded file, inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, to server 3204. Server3204 can store the file, decode the file, or transmit the file toanother client 3202. It is to be appreciated, that a client 3202 canalso transfer uncompressed file to a server 3204 and server 3204 cancompress the file in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.Likewise, server 3204 can encode video information and transmit theinformation via communication framework 3206 to one or more clients3202.

While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program product thatruns on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art willrecognize that this disclosure also can or can be implemented incombination with other program modules. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. thatperform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract datatypes. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theinventive computer-implemented methods can be practiced with othercomputer system configurations, including single-processor ormultiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframecomputers, as well as computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA,phone), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrialelectronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. However, some, if not all aspects of this disclosure can bepracticed on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules can be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“subsystem” “platform,” “layer,” “gateway,” “interface,” “service,”“application,” “device,” and the like, can refer to and/or can includeone or more computer-related entities or an entity related to anoperational machine with one or more specific functionalities. Theentities disclosed herein can be either hardware, a combination ofhardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example,a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on aprocessor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components can reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component can be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In another example,respective components can execute from various computer readable mediahaving various data structures stored thereon. The components cancommunicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance witha signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software orfirmware application executed by a processor. In such a case, theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and can executeat least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,wherein the electronic components can include a processor or other meansto execute software or firmware that confers at least in part thefunctionality of the electronic components. In an aspect, a componentcan emulate an electronic component via a virtual machine, e.g., withina cloud computing system.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example”and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance,or illustration and are intended to be non-limiting. For the avoidanceof doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by suchexamples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as an“example” and/or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meantto preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

As it is employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Further, processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of entity equipment. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing processing units. In thisdisclosure, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” datastorage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component areutilized to refer to “memory components,” entities embodied in a“memory,” or components comprising a memory. It is to be appreciatedthat memory and/or memory components described herein can be eithervolatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation,nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, or nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) (e.g.,ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM). Volatile memory can include RAM, which canact as external cache memory, for example. By way of illustration andnot limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM),direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), andRambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memorycomponents of systems or computer-implemented methods herein areintended to include, without being limited to including, these and anyother suitable types of memory.

What has been described above include mere examples of systems andcomputer-implemented methods. It is, of course, not possible to describeevery conceivable combination of components or computer-implementedmethods for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinaryskill in the art can recognize that many further combinations andpermutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extentthat the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used inthe detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim. The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presentedfor purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationscan be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminologyused herein was chosen to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Further aspects of various embodiments described herein are provided bythe subject matter of the following clauses:

1. A smart cell modulator, comprising:

a set of smart battery cells; and

a controller that operates to selectively engage one or more secondarynodes to execute a speed request for generating a desired speed.

2. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein a primarynode wirelessly broadcasts data comprising the speed request andmodulator voltage information to the one or more secondary nodes.

3. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein the one ormore secondary nodes intelligently control one or more respective smartbattery cells, based on the data, to generate a requested speed and arequested modulator voltage towards generating a sine wave current.

4. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein the primarynode calculates a phase difference between a rotor position of anelectric motor and an existing modulator voltage, based on resolverangle information, to determine the speed request and the modulatorvoltage information.

5. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein upon adetermination that the phase difference falls within a definedthreshold, the primary node requests the one or more secondary nodes togenerate a pre-defined phase current amplitude, to maintain a desiredtorque.

6. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein upon adetermination that the phase difference falls outside a definedthreshold, the primary node requests the one or more secondary nodes toadjust an existing phase current amplitude, to generate a desiredtorque.

7. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein adjustmentof the existing phase current amplitude is performed without requiringcurrent sensing by the one or more secondary nodes.

8. The smart cell modulator of any preceding claim, wherein adjustmentof the existing phase current amplitude is used to synchronize amodulator speed with a mechanical speed of an electric motor to generatethe desired torque.

9. The smart cell modulator of clause 1 above with any set ofcombinations of devices 2-8 above.

10. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

engaging, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, one or moresecondary nodes to execute a speed request for generating a desiredspeed.

11. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, furthercomprising:

broadcasting, by the system, data comprising the speed request andmodulator voltage information to the one or more secondary nodes.

12. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, furthercomprising:

controlling, by the system, one or more respective smart battery cells,based on the data, to generate a requested speed and a requestedmodulator voltage towards generating a sine wave current.

13. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, furthercomprising:

calculating, by the system, a phase difference between a rotor positionof an electric motor and an existing modulator voltage, based onresolver angle information, to determine the speed request and themodulator voltage information.

14. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, furthercomprising:

requesting, by the system, the one or more secondary nodes to generate apre-defined phase current amplitude, to maintain a desired torque, upona determination that the phase difference falls within a definedthreshold.

15. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, furthercomprising:

requesting, by the system, the one or more secondary nodes to adjust anexisting phase current amplitude, to generate a desired torque, upon adetermination that the phase difference falls outside a definedthreshold.

16. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, whereinadjustment of the existing phase current amplitude is performed withoutrequiring current sensing by the one or more secondary nodes.

17. The computer-implemented method of any preceding claim, whereinadjustment of the existing phase current amplitude is used tosynchronize a modulator speed with a mechanical speed of an electricmotor to generate the desired torque.

18. The computer-implemented method of clause 10 above with any set ofcombinations of methods 11-17 above.

19. A computer program product facilitating an intelligent battery cell,the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computerreadable medium having program instructions embodied therewith, theprogram instructions executable by a processor to cause the processorto:

engage, by the processor, one or more secondary nodes to execute a speedrequest for generating a desired speed.

20. The computer program product of any preceding claim, wherein theprogram instructions are further executable by the processor to causethe processor to:

broadcast, by the processor, data comprising the speed request andmodulator voltage information to the one or more secondary nodes.

21. The computer program product of any preceding claim, wherein theprogram instructions are further executable by the processor to causethe processor to:

control, by the processor, one or more respective smart battery cells,based on the data, to generate a requested speed and a requestedmodulator voltage towards generating a sine wave current.

22. The computer program product of any preceding claim, wherein theprogram instructions are further executable by the processor to causethe processor to:

calculate, by the processor, a phase difference between a rotor positionof an electric motor and an existing modulator voltage, based onresolver angle information, to determine the speed request and themodulator voltage information.

23. The computer program product of clause 19 above with any set ofcombinations of computer program products 20-22 above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A smart cell modulator, comprising: a set ofsmart battery cells; and a controller that operates to selectivelyengage one or more secondary nodes to execute a speed request forgenerating a desired speed.
 2. The smart cell modulator of claim 1,wherein a primary node wirelessly broadcasts data comprising the speedrequest and modulator voltage information to the one or more secondarynodes.
 3. The smart cell modulator of claim 2, wherein the one or moresecondary nodes intelligently control one or more respective smartbattery cells, based on the data, to generate a requested speed and arequested modulator voltage towards generating a sine wave current. 4.The smart cell modulator of claim 2, wherein the primary node calculatesa phase difference between a rotor position of an electric motor and anexisting modulator voltage, based on resolver angle information, todetermine the speed request and the modulator voltage information. 5.The smart cell modulator of claim 4, wherein upon a determination thatthe phase difference falls within a defined threshold, the primary noderequests the one or more secondary nodes to generate a pre-defined phasecurrent amplitude, to maintain a desired torque.
 6. The smart cellmodulator of claim 4, wherein upon a determination that the phasedifference falls outside a defined threshold, the primary node requeststhe one or more secondary nodes to adjust an existing phase currentamplitude, to generate a desired torque.
 7. The smart cell modulator ofclaim 6, wherein adjustment of the existing phase current amplitude isperformed without requiring current sensing by the one or more secondarynodes.
 8. The smart cell modulator of claim 6, wherein adjustment of theexisting phase current amplitude is used to synchronize a modulatorspeed with a mechanical speed of an electric motor to generate thedesired torque.
 9. A computer-implemented method, comprising: engaging,by a system operatively coupled to a processor, one or more secondarynodes to execute a speed request for generating a desired speed.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:broadcasting, by the system, data comprising the speed request andmodulator voltage information to the one or more secondary nodes. 11.The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:controlling, by the system, one or more respective smart battery cells,based on the data, to generate a requested speed and a requestedmodulator voltage towards generating a sine wave current.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising: calculating,by the system, a phase difference between a rotor position of anelectric motor and an existing modulator voltage, based on resolverangle information, to determine the speed request and the modulatorvoltage information.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12,further comprising: requesting, by the system, the one or more secondarynodes to generate a pre-defined phase current amplitude, to maintain adesired torque, upon a determination that the phase difference fallswithin a defined threshold.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim12, further comprising: requesting, by the system, the one or moresecondary nodes to adjust an existing phase current amplitude, togenerate a desired torque, upon a determination that the phasedifference falls outside a defined threshold.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein adjustment of theexisting phase current amplitude is performed without requiring currentsensing by the one or more secondary nodes.
 16. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 14, wherein adjustment of the existing phase currentamplitude is used to synchronize a modulator speed with a mechanicalspeed of an electric motor to generate the desired torque.
 17. Acomputer program product facilitating an intelligent battery cell, thecomputer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readablemedium having program instructions embodied therewith, the programinstructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:engage, by the processor, one or more secondary nodes to execute a speedrequest for generating a desired speed.
 18. The computer program productof claim 17, wherein the program instructions are further executable bythe processor to cause the processor to: broadcast, by the processor,data comprising the speed request and modulator voltage information tothe one or more secondary nodes.
 19. The computer program product ofclaim 18, wherein the program instructions are further executable by theprocessor to cause the processor to: control, by the processor, one ormore respective smart battery cells, based on the data, to generate arequested speed and a requested modulator voltage towards generating asine wave current.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, whereinthe program instructions are further executable by the processor tocause the processor to: calculate, by the processor, a phase differencebetween a rotor position of an electric motor and an existing modulatorvoltage, based on resolver angle information, to determine the speedrequest and the modulator voltage information.